How well do fish see us?

djkms · 05/13/2011, 07:00 PM

So I'm just getting off of work and sitting in front of my tank for a bit like usual. Its a great way for me to unwind from a long day of work. As I stare into the tank and do my daily check around, all fish eyes are on me as I stare at them. I can see them clear as day but how well do they see me I wonder?

campos · 05/13/2011, 07:36 PM

mine always follow me from one side of the tank to the other, especially when I have food

Lynnmw1208 · 05/13/2011, 09:13 PM

it seems like they look right at me. I think saltwater fish are generally more intelligent than freshwater as my freshwater fish never really looked at me. tangs especially like to watch people.

peppie · 05/13/2011, 09:54 PM

I think this is one of the reasons we get so attatched (sp) to our fish. My clowns and my midas blenny always come to greet me at the tank. Food or no food.

sporto0 · 05/13/2011, 10:05 PM

my fish know when i turn my head towards the tank! if i get up from the couch they swarm me, they see us very well, they know if go towards the bottom of the stand where they dry food is kept, they follow me, my scribbled and emperator angel typically splash me when i open the lid, all my fish except the snowflake eel will eat from my hand, i don't trust the eel, he would as well but he don't see so good!!!

benzreef · 05/13/2011, 11:02 PM

My computer desk is about 10 feet away from my 40B with two clowns. As soon as I turn to watch them, they instantly notice my movement and react. Something as slight as the turning of my head with get their attention from so far away. I would say that they see very well with an excellent perception of movement at great distance.

briankmarsh1980 · 05/13/2011, 11:25 PM

I think they see us as well as we see them I could start walking from one side of the room towards the tank and they come out and get all excited waiting for me to come over

GrayWhale · 05/13/2011, 11:51 PM

Not only can they see well, they can recognize individuals. They can tell the difference between those that feed them and those that don't. Like most organisms, they are smart about the things they need to be smart about.

RyanAlan · 05/14/2011, 01:14 AM

I once heard a story where the fish recognize people.

For example, this kid had a tank where the fish would gather to see him when he came close, but when the mother came they would hide.

We obviously don't know how well they see, but they can see and it seems they can differentiate between people they know or care for/trust and don't.

Pretty interesting topic...

RyanAlan · 05/14/2011, 01:19 AM

I just realized that I pretty much mentioned the same thing that GreyWhale indicated.

Sorry, I've been traveling all week for work, just got home and had like four glasses of wine - very stressful week. Not to mention that is 2:17 AM here in Dallas, TX metro. LOL

Paul B · 05/14/2011, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Not only can they see well, they can recognize individuals.

Mine not only see me and recognize me, but they also text me.

xtlosx · 05/14/2011, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul B

Mine not only see me and recognize me, but they also text me.

I see my clowns posting facebook updates. sneaky critters.

b_s_c1 · 05/14/2011, 09:26 AM

Makes you think twice before doing anything naughty in front of the tank. Especially if you have one in the bedroom.

JG1 · 05/14/2011, 09:45 AM

Mine see me more then 10' away when I walk past the tank...they all swim to that side of thw tank in hopes of a meal.

Create · 05/14/2011, 09:48 AM

Same here, mine always go to the area that i feed them. I have to walk away and stare from the hallway to figure out that they actually do swim around the tank

SushiGirl · 05/14/2011, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrayWhale

Not only can they see well, they can recognize individuals. They can tell the difference between those that feed them and those that don't. Like most organisms, they are smart about the things they need to be smart about.

+1. That's how it is in our house.

xtlosx · 05/14/2011, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b_s_c1

Makes you think twice before doing anything naughty in front of the tank. Especially if you have one in the bedroom.

Bedroom? Why confine it to the bedroom. Our tank is in the kitchen area... poor fish

b_s_c1 · 05/14/2011, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xtlosx

Bedroom? Why confine it to the bedroom. Our tank is in the kitchen area... poor fish

I hope I never have to eat at your house.

xtlosx · 05/14/2011, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b_s_c1

I hope I never have to eat at your house.

haha... oh come on, we have an open kitchen concept that connects to the family room.

05/13/2011, 07:00 PM	#1
djkms Fish Freak Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Spring Hill, FL Posts: 1,136	How well do fish see us? So I'm just getting off of work and sitting in front of my tank for a bit like usual. Its a great way for me to unwind from a long day of work. As I stare into the tank and do my daily check around, all fish eyes are on me as I stare at them. I can see them clear as day but how well do they see me I wonder? __________________ Kris - 200 Gallon Baby Reef Current Tank Info: 225 Upgrade Setup 11/17/2012 72x27x27 - Custom 40g sump/Diablo DCS-250int skimmer/Blueline HD40x/2 MP40's/Tunze ATO/2 Part/BRS RODI/ Neptune apex, WXM/3 Radium 250w Galaxy Ballast/8 39w T5's/Litermeter III/Aquavitro Salinity/20%WC/Carbon/GFO/Vinegar

05/13/2011, 09:13 PM	#3
Lynnmw1208 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Brunswick, Ohio Posts: 3,306	it seems like they look right at me. I think saltwater fish are generally more intelligent than freshwater as my freshwater fish never really looked at me. tangs especially like to watch people. __________________ equipment: Eshopps psk-200 skimmer, Mag 12 pump, 30gal sump, 2x 300w Finnex heaters, glass-holes 1500gph overflow kit with 3/4" return kits, 72" 8x36w t-5 AquaticLife light, 66lbs of LR, 150lbs of tropic eden reeflakes, 2 Koralia Evo 1400, JBJ ATO, BRS dual GFO/carbon reactors, Hydor smartwave Current Tank Info: 125gallon

05/13/2011, 11:25 PM	#7
briankmarsh1980 I'm a member of **!!!!!! Join Date: May 2010 Location: Maricopa, Arizona Posts: 2,127	I think they see us as well as we see them I could start walking from one side of the room towards the tank and they come out and get all excited waiting for me to come over __________________ My skim don't stink _______________________________________________________________ 210 gallons with stuff!!!!!!!

05/14/2011, 09:45 AM	#14
JG1 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Sicklerville, NJ 08081 Posts: 2,256	Mine see me more then 10' away when I walk past the tank...they all swim to that side of thw tank in hopes of a meal. __________________ -John Current Tank Info: 100g Rimless Starphire

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05/13/2011, 07:36 PM	#2
campos Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Bay Area/San Ramon Posts: 546	mine always follow me from one side of the tank to the other, especially when I have food

05/13/2011, 09:54 PM	#4
peppie Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 1,883	I think this is one of the reasons we get so attatched (sp) to our fish. My clowns and my midas blenny always come to greet me at the tank. Food or no food.

05/13/2011, 10:05 PM	#5
sporto0 Moved On Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Pittsburgh, Pa. Posts: 2,924	my fish know when i turn my head towards the tank! if i get up from the couch they swarm me, they see us very well, they know if go towards the bottom of the stand where they dry food is kept, they follow me, my scribbled and emperator angel typically splash me when i open the lid, all my fish except the snowflake eel will eat from my hand, i don't trust the eel, he would as well but he don't see so good!!!

05/13/2011, 11:02 PM	#6
benzreef Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: The tip of Lake Superior Posts: 256	My computer desk is about 10 feet away from my 40B with two clowns. As soon as I turn to watch them, they instantly notice my movement and react. Something as slight as the turning of my head with get their attention from so far away. I would say that they see very well with an excellent perception of movement at great distance.

05/13/2011, 11:51 PM	#8
GrayWhale Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 104	Not only can they see well, they can recognize individuals. They can tell the difference between those that feed them and those that don't. Like most organisms, they are smart about the things they need to be smart about.

05/14/2011, 01:14 AM	#9
RyanAlan Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Frisco, TX Posts: 93	I once heard a story where the fish recognize people. For example, this kid had a tank where the fish would gather to see him when he came close, but when the mother came they would hide. We obviously don't know how well they see, but they can see and it seems they can differentiate between people they know or care for/trust and don't. Pretty interesting topic...

05/14/2011, 01:19 AM	#10
RyanAlan Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Frisco, TX Posts: 93	I just realized that I pretty much mentioned the same thing that GreyWhale indicated. Sorry, I've been traveling all week for work, just got home and had like four glasses of wine - very stressful week. Not to mention that is 2:17 AM here in Dallas, TX metro. LOL

05/14/2011, 09:26 AM	#13
b_s_c1 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Victoria, Texas Posts: 466	Makes you think twice before doing anything naughty in front of the tank. Especially if you have one in the bedroom.

05/14/2011, 09:48 AM	#15
Create Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: kentucky Posts: 132	Same here, mine always go to the area that i feed them. I have to walk away and stare from the hallway to figure out that they actually do swim around the tank